Chattanooga’s RiverRocks Adventure Sports Games Attracts Nation’s Top Athletes

News provided by

Chattanooga Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Aug 07, 2013, 08:00 ET

Chattanooga, TN (PRWEB) August 07, 2013 -- RiverRocks, one of the most anticipated events of the year for outdoor enthusiasts, is rolling out a new format as an Adventure Sports Games and will be held Oct. 2-13, 2013. Individuals, including some of the nation’s most elite athletes, will compete in what has become the Fall’s premiere adventure sports competition.

In addition to the 10 sports games, RiverRocks will feature a number of entertainment events including the opening ceremonies on Oct. 2 at Center Park. Over the Edge, an urban rappelling fund-raiser, will be held Oct. 3 at Center Park and the 3 Sisters Bluegrass Festival, Oct. 4-5 at Ross’ Landing. The RiverRocks Adventure Games will conclude on Oct. 12 with closing ceremonies including a preview of The Block, a new urban outdoor climbing wall, 30,000 square foot climbing facility and shops located in the heart of downtown.

Paul Brock, Chairman of the Board for RiverRocks is excited about the new direction for RiverRocks. “RiverRocks is the Olympiad of adventure sports. The quality and level of the games have already attracted some of the most elite athletes from around the country. RiverRocks is a great way to showcase our world-class natural resources Chattanooga and Chattanooga’s brand. We want to grow this event each year as the ultimate competitive experience and continue to recruit the Best of the Best athletes. Chattanooga is the perfect hand-in-glove fit.”

Under this new format, the RiverRocks Adventure Games will feature a wide range of competitive outdoor sports games including:

1. Rock/Creek Stump Jump 50k & 11 Mile Trail Race: Oct. 5, 8 am-12 pm
2. Sequatchie Valley Century: Oct. 5, 8 am-12 pm
3. Canoe/Kayak Race: Oct. 5, 10:30 am-1 pm
4. Chattanooga Head Race: Oct. 12, 9 am – Noon
5. Triple Crown of Bouldering: Oct. 12, 8 am-12 pm
6. Five Points Fifty: Oct. 12, 8 am-1 pm
7. Swim the Suck - 10 Mile Swim: Oct. 12, 9:30 am-2:30 pm
8. Urban Nature 10K: Oct. 12, 10 am-3 pm
9. Duathalon: Oct. 13, 8 am-1 pm
10. ChattaJack 31: Oct. 26, 8 am-9 pm

“RiverRocks happens at the perfect time of year, when people are more inclined to get out and enjoy the beautiful fall weather. Because of the city’s outdoor appeal and amenities, we’ve seen some incredible accolades such as ‘Best Town Ever’ by Outside magazine, one of the ‘Best Adventure Towns in the U.S. to Live + Play’ by National Geographic Adventure magazine and Men’s Journal named us one of the ‘South’s New Adventure Mecca’s’ as well as one of the ‘50 Great American Places,” said Bob Doak, President and CEO of the Chattanooga Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Over the past three years, we’ve seen an increase in visitors and we’re expecting tens of thousands of people to attend this year’s festivities. It’s no surprise that people are traveling great distances to experience our outdoor opportunities.”

Event organizers have enlisted local craftsmen at Set in Stone to handcraft unique medals for the top men, women or team in the 10 sports games.

Nathan Smith, Set In Stone owner said, “We are excited to be a part of RiverRocks this year in a new way. We enjoy making unique items and designing these medals has given us the opportunity to create a distinctive and elegant award that includes a part of the Chattanooga community – actual river rocks.”

As in past years, people are encouraged to add their own twist to the fun of RiverRocks by creating a new outdoor adventure game or event. RiverRocks will be making a call for community events in the coming weeks.

Visit http://www.RiverRocksChattanooga.com for more information on RiverRocks 2013.

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Candace I. Davis, Chattanooga Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, http://www.chattanoogafun.com, +1 (423) 424-4430, [email protected]